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Archive for May, 2015

Maximizing your employee’s productivity is about more than making sure they’ve got enough pens and notepads to go around. You need to create an environment that is conducive to work and focus, and every component of office design plays into that. One element in particular that you need to pay attention to is the kind of office lighting you are using. Read on to find out more about office lighting and how you can select the right style with help from American Design Associates!

Office Lighting: Fluorescent, Overhead, Task, or Natural?

1.) Fluorescent. Fluorescent lighting, while a traditional choice for many offices, is actually very prohibitive to productivity. Artificial lighting such as this tends to be dim, causing employees to have to strain their eyes to see computer screens and important documents. Because it is not exceptionally bright, it can also increase the chances of employees developing fatigue over the course of the day.

2.) Overhead. Overhead lighting is often necessary in some form, but like fluorescent lighting, it can often have a counterproductive effect on your employees. Keep overhead lighting restricted to areas that absolutely need it.

3.) Task. Task lighting is more specifically focused lighting, such as the light provided by lamps and smaller units. Task lighting is useful in that it can highlight an individual’s workspace without being overwhelming, as fluorescent lighting can be.

4.) Natural. Natural lighting is the most beneficial type of office lighting to choose if you want to boost employee productivity. Natural lighting keeps us feeling more alert and energized, which translates directly into higher-quality, more focused work. (more…)

For those interested in a new office layout, many firms are incorporating current design trends into their plans.

You may be right to avoid trends in certain industries, but design firms are accommodating the needs of a company into their designs for increased functionality and productivity. If you are looking to improve your office layout, what are some of the most popular trends in office interior design right now?

Creative Spaces

More and more companies are hiring freelance and temp employees, and that trend will continue to grow. The cost of not only retaining current employees, but also bringing on new workers can be astronomical. The job market may grow, but that doesn’t mean businesses will have large amounts of employees working in their physical location. Designers are using smaller spaces to make more unique workspaces, and allowing workers more flexibility in how they work. Instead of being assigned to cubicles or having large rooms for meetings, designers are trying to create spaces that allows an employee to choose where they want to work. This is also a great way to help create chanced encounters, and encourages open collaboration. (more…)

When it comes to getting in touch with clients and customers, businesses are starting to shy away from the traditional telephone call. This means shying away from rows and rows of cubicles filled with phones (and not much else) as well. The new mode of communication being used by companies everywhere is the video contact center, and it, like any other space in your office, requires a specific kind of office design to be successful. Read on to find out more!

What is a Video Contact Center and How Can My Office Design Accommodate It?

A video contact center is an area in your office that customer support employees can use to place and receive video calls from clients. These kinds of contact centers are so popular because of their dual nature: combining the convenience of a phone call with the personal touch of a face-to-face conversation. Because your video contact center serves such an important purpose, it needs to be designed very specifically. Office design tips for a video contact center include:

1.) Keeping the background simple. On a video call, your customers can see everything going on in the background behind your customer service representative. It’s important to keep the background professional-looking but not plain: artwork, shelves, and even indoor plants can convey the office atmosphere without looking too dull.

2.) Consider sound masking. Sound masking the room in which your video contact center is set up can help reduce noise pollution and maintain the high sound quality of your video calls. This will prevent misinterpretations and confusion and allow the call to take place easily.

3.) Be mindful of color. Bright colors can make office design cheerful, but they may not translate well on screen. Practice placing a video call and see whether or not a colorful background is too overwhelming or hard on the eyes. (more…)

Are your employees experiencing a spring slump? Has it been a while since you’ve seen some truly innovative ideas come from your team? It could be that your current office interior design is to blame: drab colors and uninspiring layouts can actually hold your employees back from being their brightest, most hardworking selves! Luckily, there are ways to fight this off and get your company back on a creative track. Read on to find out more!

Developing An Office Interior Design That Feeds Creativity

1.) Amp Up the Color! Some colors are perennially popular for office interiors: oatmeal, white, light gray, and sand tones. While these neutrals can be good for offices that often change hands and need to be matched with different furniture, they can put a damper on creativity. Brighten things up with sunnier shades like yellow and green; you can also add splashes of color with artwork as well!

2.) Keep Things Open. Having your office space redesigned to eliminate barriers and walls between individual desks can help bolster creativity. The more your employees are encouraged to communicate and reach out to one another for suggestions, the more likely it is that they will be able to come up with some truly creative ideas. Two heads are better than one, after all!

3.) Set Aside Space. A break room is just as important as a work desk when it comes to office interior design. Employees need a comfortable and welcoming space to visit when they need to give their brains a rest. If they are given this time to relax for a minute and collect their thoughts, your employees will be less overworked and more likely to produce some creative results!

Interested in office interior design that will help boost creativity? Get in touch with American Design Associates today!

American Design Associates, Inc. is a Contract Furniture Dealer and Design Firm located in Towson, Maryland. When you are in need of experienced project managers, interior designers, service technicians, and an outstanding customer support team, American Design Associates is right for you. We service clients throughout the Mid-Atlantic region including Maryland, DC, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and beyond. Help us help you with your furniture and design needs today!

Call American Design Associates today at (410) 823-5500, contact us on our websiteor pay us a visit today. We want to help you stay organized in the office.